Downhole apparatus and system for electric-based fracturing

Abstract

Downhole tools, systems, and methods for electric-based fracturing are disclosed. A downhole tool for electric-based fracturing may include an outer enclosure, an insulator chamber disposed at least partially within the enclosure, and an electrode disposed at least partially within the insulator chamber. The electrode may extend out from the insulator chamber and the enclosure, and may be configured to transfer electric energy to an exterior environment surrounding the downhole tool. The insulator chamber may be configured to thermally and electrically insulate at least a portion of the electrode from the exterior environment.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A downhole tool for electric-based fracturing, the downhole tool comprising:
 an outer enclosure; 
 an insulator chamber disposed at least partially within the enclosure and comprising a top plate, a cylindrical body, and a bottom plate; and 
 an electrode disposed at least partially within the insulator chamber, the electrode extending out from the insulator chamber and the enclosure, wherein the electrode is configured to transfer electric energy to an exterior environment surrounding the downhole tool, 
 wherein the top plate, the cylindrical body, and/or the bottom plate are configured to be assembled and disassembled, and wherein the outer enclosure is configured to withstand a temperature of at least 300° C. and a pressure of at least 2000 psi. 
 
     
     
       2. The downhole tool of  claim 1 , wherein the top plate, the cylindrical body, and/or the bottom plate are configured to be assembled and/or disassembled with non-conductive screws. 
     
     
       3. The downhole tool of  claim 1 , wherein the outer enclosure is formed from a corrosion resistant material. 
     
     
       4. The downhole tool of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode extends out from the enclosure in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the enclosure. 
     
     
       5. The downhole tool of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode extends out from the enclosure at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the enclosure. 
     
     
       6. The downhole tool of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode includes a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the proximal portion of the electrode includes a flange. 
     
     
       7. The downhole tool of  claim 6 , wherein the flange is configured to support a weight of the electrode. 
     
     
       8. The downhole tool of  claim 6 , wherein the flange is received by a shoulder of the insulator chamber. 
     
     
       9. A method of electric-based fracturing, the method comprising:
 transmitting electricity from a surface power source along a high voltage cable to an electrode of a downhole tool within a well, wherein at least a portion of the electrode is thermally and electrically insulated from a surrounding environment of the well, wherein the electrode is at least partially within an insulator chamber comprising a top plate, a cylindrical body, and a bottom plate; 
 transferring at least a portion of the transmitted electricity from the electrode to the surrounding environment through an exposed portion of the electrode; and 
 heating the surrounding environment with the transferred electricity, 
 wherein the top plate, the cylindrical body, and/or the bottom plate are configured to be assembled and disassembled, and wherein transmitting electricity includes transmitting electricity with a voltage of at least 30 kilovolts (kV) and/or a current of at least 40 amperes (A). 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the top plate, the cylindrical body, and/or the bottom plate are configured to be assembled with non-conductive screws. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 9 , wherein transmitting electricity includes transmitting one or more selected from a group of continuous DC, continuous AC, and pulsed electric discharges. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 removing the downhole tool from the well; 
 disassembling the downhole tool; and 
 reassembling the downhole tool. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein disassembling the downhole tool comprises removing non-conductive screws from the top plate, the cylindrical body, and/or the bottom plate of insulator chamber. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 12 , wherein reassembling the downhole tool comprises combining the top plate, the cylindrical body, and/or the bottom plate of the insulator chamber with non-conductive screws. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the surrounding environment includes one or more selected from a group comprising sandstone, carbonate, shale, brine, petroleum, H 2 S, CO 2 , and water. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 9 , wherein transferring the transmitted electricity from the electrode to the surrounding environment comprises transferring a majority of the transmitted electricity from the electrode to the surrounding environment. 
     
     
       17. A downhole tool for electric-based fracturing, the downhole tool comprising:
 an outer enclosure; 
 an insulator chamber disposed at least partially within the enclosure and comprising a top plate, a cylindrical body, and a bottom plate; and 
 an electrode disposed at least partially within the insulator chamber, the electrode extending out from the insulator chamber and the enclosure, wherein the electrode is configured to transfer electric energy to an exterior environment surrounding the downhole tool, 
 wherein the top plate, the cylindrical body, and/or the bottom plate are configured to be assembled and disassembled, and wherein at least a portion of the insulator chamber is a substantially non-porous ceramic. 
 
     
     
       18. The downhole tool of  claim 17 , wherein the top plate, the cylindrical body, and/or the bottom plate are configured to be assembled and/or disassembled with non-conductive screws. 
     
     
       19. The downhole tool of  claim 17 , wherein the outer enclosure is formed from a corrosion resistant material. 
     
     
       20. The downhole tool of  claim 17 , wherein the electrode extends out from the enclosure in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the enclosure. 
     
     
       21. The downhole tool of  claim 17 , wherein the electrode extends out from the enclosure at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the enclosure. 
     
     
       22. The downhole tool of  claim 17 , wherein the electrode includes a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the proximal portion of the electrode includes a flange. 
     
     
       23. The downhole tool of  claim 22 , wherein the flange is configured to support a weight of the electrode. 
     
     
       24. The downhole tool of  claim 22 , wherein the flange is received by a shoulder of the insulator chamber.